Theatrical Design and Production
Stage Equipment
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The Space
Acting area
The portion of the stage used by the actors during the play
Apron
The section of the stage in front of the grand drape
Auditorium
Where the audience sits; also called house
Backstage
What the audience does not see; parts of the stage, the dressing rooms, prop
room and shop and storage areas
Loft
The area above the stage but below the grid where scenery and curtains
are hung
Grid
Beams that support the battens; area above the loft
Pit
The area under the apron for the orchestra that opens to the auditorium
Stage
A raised platform
Wings
The offstage areas to the right and left of the set, part of the backstage area
Notebook Page ___
Masking
Grand Drape
The curtain hung just upstage of the proscenium that opens or closes
each act or scene
Grand Valance
The farthest downstage curtain; made of the same material as the Grand
Drape; used to set the height of the stage
Backdrop (Drop)
A large flat piece of cloth upon which scenery is painted
Border (Teaser)
A short curtain hung above the stage to mask overhead lights and
scenery
Legs
Narrow curtains on each side of the stage that mask the wings
Scrim
A flat curtain that can function as a regular curtain or be see-through
depending on how it is lit
Traveler
A curtain that opens from the middle
Cyclorama (Cyc)
A background curtain that is a neutral color so it can be lit different
colors
Proscenium
The arch or frame enclosing the visible stage; the opening between the
stage and the auditorium
Stage Equipment
Batten
A long piece of pipe from which scenery, lights, and curtains are hung
Brick
A metal block used as counterweight for the Flyrail system
Fire curtain
A fireproof curtain closing off the stage from the auditorium in an emergency
Fly
To raise or lower a curtain or scenery
Flyrail
The system of lines and weights used to raise and lower the battens
Travel
To open or close a curtain